UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Code: VA/2011/SWOC/WSSCC/006
Post Title: Grant Funding and Grant Cycle Management Senior Specialist
Post Level: IICA-3
Position status: Non-rotational
Project Title: Global Sanitation Fund
Org Unit: Operations Centre Geneva Switzerland
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: Approx level of effort estimated at 20 days during the period June 2011 to December 2011
Closing Date: 26 May 2011
Background
The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) was established in 1990 and its mandate is expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/45/181. Since its establishment, WSSCC has worked to accelerate the provision of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for poor people in developing countries. In 2007, WSSCC began to focus on sanitation and hygiene given the extent of this issue with some estimated 2.6 billion people being deprived of access to toilets. WSSCC established a Global Sanitation Fund (GSF). This is a global grant financing mechanism dedicated to sanitation and hygiene. A full description of WSSCC and GSF activities may be found at: www.wsscc.org
Presently, the GSF has provided for grant programmes in five countries. This number will increase to nine before year end under current funding levels of the GSF. Thereafter the GSF anticipates a period of growth and country programmes could increase up to fifty, depending on the level of funding that it might receive in the future. Under its current operating principles, in each country the GSF appoints an Executing Agency (EA) that will administer the grant within that country. Each EA then makes sub-grants to non-government organizations (NGOs), private sector and local governments/civil society. An EA also procures service providers to carry out discrete and defined tasks (directly procured activities). The EA in turn has to submit technical and financial reports, of varying detail, quarterly, semi-annually and annually.
It is now necessary to detail a fund/grant management protocol including standard operating procedures (SOPS) and a system that is responsive to best practice in international fund and grant management. This work will be a component part of an overall GSF operations manual and standard operating procedures (SOPs), in order to have a solid operating framework in place for accountable and impact driven fund/grant management.
Duties and Responsibilities
The principal output is to advise the management of the WSSCC-UNOPS and the unit responsible for the management of Global Sanitation Fund on a fund/grant management protocol, operating procedures and a system meeting declared and best practice international fund and grant management standards and that can grow into a comprehensive and efficient system in the future.
The consultant will work with the Global Sanitation Fund Department of the WSSCC as well as UNOPS given basic fund and grant management principles, policies and procedures to be adhered to under UNOPS’ accountability and grant management frameworks. He/she will be reporting to the Programme Manager (Grants Management).
Scope of work:
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Review current practices, long term plans and scenarios
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Review the current SOPs and strategy to meet the objectives of the GSF in terms of, inter alia, financial accountability frameworks in place or to be further developed (from sub-grantees, executing agencies, GSF management, UNOPS through to donors), management for results both at country programme levels and the global level of GSF operations through the GSF team (GSF Results Framework and WSSCC M&E Protocol) and ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness of operations at country levels
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Identify and propose improvements, including in SOPs, to the overall strategy and system
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Define a programme of work to identify gaps and further strengthen the fund/grant cycle management practices in place
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When and as necessary, closely work with consultants involved with refining the GSF M&E framework and the design of the Management Information System for the GSF
The consultant is expected to complete the assignments within the contractual period and an agreed lump sum fee. If WSSCC-UNOPS requests the contractor to participate in meetings and visits outside of the duty station, all travel and communication expenses will be covered separately as per UNOPS procedures and standards.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
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Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills
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Excellent writing, analytical and research skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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Ability to work in a multicultural and international environment
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Strong attention to detail
Education/Experience/Language
a. Education
Advanced university degree (Masters and above) in international development, law, economics/finance, business administration or another relevant discipline.
b. Work Experience At least 11 years demonstrated track record at national and international levels in the area of fund and grant management with particular emphasis on best practices in accountability and fund/grant cycle and impact management At least 5 to 8 years demonstrated experience in developing global grant programmes and applying accountability systems for the delivery of globally driven grant programmes Professional certification in accounting an asset as well as experience working with regional and international organizations in design and delivery of fund/grant management programmes
c. Languages
Fluency in English (oral and writing)
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to vacanciesgeneva@unops.org . Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org .
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